USDA Forecasts Record Nebraska Corn and Soybean Yield and Production

USDA Forecasts Record Nebraska Corn and Soybean Yield and Production
November 8, 2018

Based on November 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2018 corn crop is forecast at 1.80 billion bushels, up 7% from last year's production, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Area to be harvested for grain, at 9.25 million acres, is down 1% from a year ago. Yield is forecast at 195 bu/ac, up 14 bushels from last year. Both yield and production are record highs if realized.

Nationally, corn production is forecast at 14.6 billion bushels, down 1% from the October forecast, but up less than 1% from last year. Based on conditions as of November 1, yields are expected to average 178.9 bushels per acre, down 1.8 bushels from the October forecast but up 2.3 bushels from 2017. If realized, this will be the highest yield and second highest production on record for the US. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 81.8 million acres, unchanged from the previous estimate, but down 1% from 2017.

Soybean production is forecast at 345 million bushels, up 6% from last year. Area for harvest, at 5.65 million acres, is slightly below 2017. Yield is forecast at 61 bu/ac, up 3.5 bushels from last year. Both yield and production are record highs if realized.

Nationally, soybean production is forecast at a record 4.60 billion bushels, down 2% from the October forecast but up 4% from last year. Based on November 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 52.1 bushels per acre, down 1.0 bushel from last month but up 2.8 bushels from last year. Area for harvest in the United States is forecast at 88.3 million acres, down slightly from last month.

Sorghum production is forecast at 15.8 million bushels, up 32% from last year. Area for harvest, at 155,000 acres, is 15% above 2017. Yield is a record, forecast at 102 bu/ac, up 13 bushels from last year.

Sugarbeet production is forecast at 1.41 million tons, down 2% from last year. Area for harvest, at 44,200 acres, is down 2% from 2017. Yield is a record, forecast at 31.8 tons per acre, unchanged from last year.

Potato acres of 19,500 were planted in 2018, up 3%. Harvested acreage set at 19,300, is up 2%. Production is forecast at 9.46 million cwt, up 5% from last year. Yield is a record, forecast at 490 cwt per acre, up 15 cwt from last year.